MA Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Requirements: 18 Course Credits (12 credits of course work representing an interdisciplinary focus and possibly including a Research Methods Course) relevant to a student’s Research Plan.
Requirement | Description |
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INST 5000 3.0 Core Courses (3 credits each) | INST 5000 A 3.0 – “Interdisciplinary Seminar” is a required, core course comprised of regular meetings and discussions with the Supervisory Committee in the Candidate’s specific areas of study. These discussions fulfill the function of an interdisciplinary seminar and are graded as a regular course. Normally students meet with each supervisor once a month and with the full Supervisory Committee at least once each term. Progress reports must be submitted to the program office each term. The final grade for this course also includes a student’s “Thesis Proposal,” a “Colloquium Presentation” (or oral seminar) and the “Oral Examination” of the thesis. IS 5000 A is graded like a regular course. INST 5000 B 3.0 – “Interdisciplinary Studies: Theory/Practice” is a required core course that examines representative ways of thinking in interdisciplinary terms and studies selected methodological approaches to interdisciplinary research, which students apply to their own intellectual or artistic praxis. This course also requires students to professionalize their academic development by submitting some combination of a conference proposal/paper, a grant application, an ethics proposal, a CV or resume, or a draft application for a professional position. This course is graded pass/fail. |
Annual Progress Report | The FGS POLICY states : It is clearly established that completion rates are enhanced and average completion/withdrawal times reduced if supervisory committees meet regularly (at least annually) with each student, usually in the spring, and evaluate the student’s activities and progress. Master’s Programme In Interdisciplinary Studies: A thesis supervisory committee shall meet twice a year with the student, normally in December for the Interim Progress Report due in January and early April for the Annual Progress Report, due in April, to evaluate the Reports on Progress submitted by the student, who then submits a completed copy of same to the graduate programme director, after the meetings. Reports to the graduate programme director of unsatisfactory progress may require a student to withdraw from a programme of studies, or withdraw from the graduate programme in which the student is enrolled. Failure to Submit Annual Progress Report: Failure to submit an Annual Progress Report by April 15th will result in the placement of an automated enrolment block. Students are well-advised to book an early April Committee meeting at the start of the academic year. |
Colloquium | A public presentation of the student’s work in progress. Normally Full Time Students in their 2nd year present their colloquium in the weeks following the Winter Reading Week. All three supervisors are asked to attend. |
Thesis | A Written Thesis (maximum 120 pages), the focus of the student’s programme, which should demonstrate the Candidate’s originality and understanding of the area of investigation. After the formal submission of the thesis, the student defend it at an oral examination. The examining committee includes an external examiner from outside of York University and an internal examiner, who is arm’s length from the thesis, from York. |
Creative Component | Many IS students opt to do a creative component alongside their written thesis which further illuminates & disseminates their scholarly work. This has taken the form of a smart phone app; a novel; a photo exhibit; a film; a play etc. Do talk to the director about these innovative options. |
Completion Time | 6 terms (full-time) OR 9 terms (part-time) |
The Graduate Programme in Interdisciplinary Studies’ Student Learning Outcomes are organized into six subsets, and The Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies is awarded to students who have achieved:
Language and Cognate Requirements
There is no language requirement other than English for the MA in Interdisciplinary Studies, but a Candidate’s Supervisory Committee may require the Candidate to demonstrate a reading knowledge of such languages as are necessary to enable the student to use the major secondary and primary sources relevant to the Thesis. When appropriate, other skills or preparatory courses (e.g., statistics, computer science, survey research) may also be required.
Learn More
The Graduate Programme in Interdisciplinary Studies at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Programme Administrator to learn more.